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Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the new policy giving all infant school children a free school meal in England was the first step in fulfilling his ambition to provide free school meals to all primary school children.

Mr Clegg said: "For the Liberal Democrats, this is a first step: my ambition is to provide free school meals for all primary school children. Another reason we want to get into Government again next time round."

The Deputy Prime Minister said free school meals would help "give every child the chance in life they deserve."

All infant school pupils in state funded schools in England will be eligible for a free school meal from September 2014. Credit: PA Wire

Free school meals for infant children could substantially improve academic performance, a recent report suggested.

The School Food Plan, conducted by Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent, found that, in pilots where all children had been given a free school dinner, students were academically months ahead of their peers elsewhere.

Between three and five per cent more children reached target levels in maths and English at Key Stage 1.